High School Baseball and Golf Practice Begins With Mid-Season Temperatures

Monday was the start of prep baseball and golf practice across Minnesota. Players, coaches, and fans are hoping temperatures are also in the mid-60s when it's time to play.

With the challenge in recent years of getting the season started on schedule, the Big Nine conference won't have its first full day of games until April 7. Owatonna will open that day at home against Rochester Century. The Huskies shared the conference title with Rochester John Marshall last season. The addition of Northfield and Red Wing to the conference results in a schedule change. Owatonna will play just once against Century, Mayo, Red Wing, Mankato West, Austin and Winona. The Huskies will play two games against JM, Northfield, Faribault, Albert Lea and Mankato East. However, only the first meeting will count toward the conference standings. The Huskies will play home nonconference games against Chanhassen, St. Cloud Apollo and Rocori at Dartt's Park. OHS will play in a road nonconference event at Minnetonka.

Triton will attempt to get in their first game March 31 at Stewartville. Last season's weather left the Cobras playing five or six games some weeks at the end of the season. Blooming Prairie is scheduled to start April 2 at home against Faribault Bethlehem Academy. Medford plans to play at Maple River that same day. NRHEG's opener is slated for April 6 at Bethlehem Academy.

Golf practice is also officially underway. The Owatonna girls are scheduled to open their season April 10 at Faribault. The OHS boys are set to start April 14 at home. Blooming Prairie and Triton are schedule to start April 7. NRHEG's first date is April 13.